Vehicle Head-Up Display With Dynamic Icon Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-up displays for vehicles lack the ability to project high-contrast, real-time information in a way that overlays virtual images seamlessly onto the driver's field of view without obstructing the real-world scene, especially when the driver's line of sight is obstructed by other objects.
Innovation Solution
A holographic projector system that uses a spatial light modulator to project computer-generated holograms, which can change the appearance of virtual icons in response to detected objects in the driver's line of sight, ensuring the virtual content remains aligned and visible by adjusting aspects like shape, color, and luminance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional head-up display projects a rectangular virtual image area, then the image content can be displayed in a defined area, but the virtual image may be obstructed when the driver's line of sight is blocked by other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The head-up display system dynamically adjusts the appearance of virtual icons based on detected objects in the driver's field of view. When an object is detected that may obstruct the driver's line of sight, the system changes the visual characteristics (such as color, size, or position) of the corresponding virtual icon to maintain visibility and alert the driver to the potential obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect objects in the driver's field of view and provides feedback to the display system. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously monitor the environment and adjust the virtual image content in real-time, ensuring that important information remains visible even when physical obstructions are present.
2Illumination intensity
If the virtual image is made more prominent to ensure visibility, then the information can be seen more clearly, but it may obstruct the driver's view of the real-world scene
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different visual characteristics to different parts of the virtual image based on the local context. Virtual icons corresponding to detected objects are given enhanced visual properties (such as increased brightness or contrasting colors) while other areas maintain normal appearance, allowing important information to stand out without uniformly obstructing the driver's view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the color or luminance of virtual icons based on the detected environment and the importance of the information. By using color variations and luminance adjustments, the system can make critical information more visible without necessarily increasing the overall brightness of the entire virtual image, thereby reducing obstruction of the real-world scene.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a high-contrast, real-time head-up display that maintains the alignment and visibility of virtual content even when the driver's line of sight is obstructed, enhancing safety and usability by integrating seamlessly with the real-world environment.
Implementation Method 1
A CGH may be encoded on a spatial light modulator, 'SLM', arranged to modulate the amplitude and/or phase of incident light. Light modulation may be achieved using electrically-addressable liquid crystals, optically-addressable liquid crystals or micro-mirrors, for example.
Implementation Method 2
The display device comprises pixels. The pixels of the display may display a diffractive pattern or structure that diffracts light. The diffracted light may form an image at a plane spatially separated from the display device.
Implementation Method 3
The system may be arranged to form the virtual image of the picture using the windscreen by reflecting spatially-modulated light off the windscreen.
Data Source
AI summary
A head-up display for a vehicle. The head-up display comprises a projector and processor. The projector is arranged to project image content such that it is visible from an eye-box. The processor is arranged to receive captured images of a scene visible from the eye-box. The processor is arranged, at a first time to: detect a first object in a scene and instruct the image projector to project an icon (e.g. computer graphic) that appears, from the viewing position, to be coincident with the first object. The processor is further arranged to, at a second time later than the first time to: detect a second object in a line of sight from the eye-box position to the first object and instruct the image projector to change the visual appearance of the projected icon in response to the detection of the second object.